Bengals plan to use franchise tag on Tee Higgins

One of many prime receivers that was set to hit free company received’t even be a part of the open market this offseason.

The Bengals plan to make use of the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, protecting him underneath staff management for a minimum of yet another season, NFL.com reported Friday evening.

The 25-year-old is anticipated to obtain a completely assured $21.8 million for 2024 if the 2 sides can’t come to a long-term extension by March 5.

Higgins would have been one of many prime free-agent choices at huge receiver this offseason, as he put collectively 4 sturdy seasons with Cincinnati.

Suiting up in 12 video games final yr, he nonetheless reeled in 42 catches for 656 yards to go together with six touchdowns.

Earlier than that, he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons because the No. 2 Bengals receiving possibility for Joe Burrow.

He added 18 catches throughout a run to the Tremendous Bowl throughout the 2021 season by which the Bengals finally fell brief in opposition to the Rams.

Within the huge sport, he broke via with 4 catches, 100 yards and two scores in a valiant effort.

There weren’t any definitive studies connecting both the Jets or the Giants to Higgins, however a minimum of one defensive again on Gang Inexperienced expressed curiosity in bringing the Bengals wideout to the Meadowlands.

Two-time All-Professional Sauce Gardner replied to a fan on X in January, saying the staff ought to look to “Calvin Ridley & Tee” Higgins in free company.

After Garrett Wilson, the Jets didn’t have a receiver that even eclipsed the 400-yard mark in 2023, as Allen Lazard completed a disappointing first season in New York with simply 23 catches and 311 yards.

Tight finish Tyler Conklin was second on the staff in receiving yards with 621.

The Giants, who didn’t have a receiver attain 800 yards this season, have been seen as among the many most closely fits for Higgins, in accordance with Sports activities Illustrated.